The Boso Flower Line is an approximately 45 kilometer long road that follows the coast along the southern tip of the Boso Peninsula between Tateyama and Chikura. Several flower farms and parks are located along the road. The area is particularly popular from January to April when nanohana (rapeseed flowers), poppies and other spring flowers are in bloom. The following are some of the more notable attractions found along the Boso Flower Line:
Tateyama Aloha Garden
Hours: 9:30 to 16:30 (until 17:00 on weekends and national holidays) Admission: 1300 yen Closed: No closing days
The Aloha Garden Tateyama (previously Nanbo Paradise) is a large Hawaiian-themed park with tropical plants in numerous greenhouses. There is also a small zoo with capybara, sheep, emus, monkeys and birds, and visitors can feed or pet some of the animals. Not far from the entrance stands an observation tower where visitors can get an overview of the surroundings. In addition, there is a restaurant and cafe just outside the park entrance.
Nojimasaki Lighthouse
Hours: 9:00 to 16:30 (until 16:00 from October to April) Admission: 300 yen Closed: during inclement weather
Nojimasaki Lighthouse was built in the early Meiji Period (1868-1912) at the southernmost point of the Boso Peninsula. It holds the honor of being the second oldest lighthouse in Japan. Visitors can enter the tower and visit the small museum at its base. There are also a few walking trails around the cape with monuments related to the area and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.
Shiramazu Flower Fields
Open from January to March Hours: Varies depending on stall Admission: Free
The Shiramazu Flower Fields (Shiramazu Ohanabatake) are a collection of small flower farms where various flowers are grown for sale and picking. A michi-no-eki rest area is located across the road of the flower fields with public facilities, such as free parking, toilets, and shops selling ready cut flowers and plants.
Senda Flower Fields
Open from January to March Hours: Varies depending on stall Admission: Free
The Senda Flower Fields (Senda no Hanabatake) are another collection of small flower farms where visitors can view, purchase and pick flowers. The fields are located at the Chikura Okoku michi-no-eki rest area which offers views of the ocean, restaurants, free parking and toilets (the rest area is closed on off-season Wednesdays).
Getting there and around
The Boso Flower Line connects Tateyama with Chikura. It is best explored by rental car. The nearest rental car outlets are found in Tateyama.
Buses run about hourly along National Route 410. A JR bus (covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass and JR East Tohoku Area Pass) connects Tateyama with Awa-Shirahama via the Nojimasaki Lighthouse, while a non-JR bus connects Awa-Shirahama with Chikura Station. While the Nojimasaki Lighthouse and Shiramazu Flower Fields are well served by the above bus lines, some walking is required to reach the other spots listed on this page.
